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We are going to be spending the month of February in a house in Atenas and want to plan a weekend trip to the beach. We have children ages 4 and 7, so I'd like to find somewhere where it is really easy to walk out the door and be on the beach, and with calm waters that little kids can splash around in. It sounds like Manuel Antonio is prettier than Jaco, but I'm concerned that it might be too much to pack up our stuff and drive to the beach - especially since we'll probably only last a few hours there - so Jaco might be better for young kids? Also we'll have seen a lot of jungle stuff/hiking up by Atenas already. On the other hand, we're really not party people, and will not be happy in a super noisy, crowded, touristy town. Any advice?

The south end of Jaco sounds like a great choice for you. I have a 4 year old and she can spend hours playing down there while Daddy tries to surf on the smaller waves.

Some of our favorite activties with our daughter is going to Backyard on Saturday night to watch the surf comp. She loves playing in the sand at our feet while we watch, ice cream at POPS, going to the park, and she loves the swing set at El Hicaco (high priced restaurant that is just ok, great to go for drink/apps).

Both Jaco and MA public beaches have rips so you do need to be careful. The beaches in the MA Park are more what you are looking for, but it is a process to get to those beaches. I agree with Pumpkin that the south end of Jaco beach is your best option for what you are asking for.

Atenas is a dry environment so you won't be surrounded by rainforest. Trees maybe but not lush, particularly in February which is well into dry season. Unless you check out Carrara on a different weekend you might not have any exposure to jungle stuff without a trip to MA

The beach inside the national park at Manuel Antonio is much safer than beaches outside the park or in Jaco IMO. Anyplace that's well known for surfing has issues with rip currents. The wildlife inside the MA national park is memorable, expecially for kids that age.

Look at La Posada Jungle Hotel in Manuel Antonio. It's right next to the park entrance and the beach is about a 5 minute walk, tops, on flat land. And, they have a two bedroom apartment with a kitchen! Plenty of room for your family!

Taking into consideration what you first talked about, like not driving much and be able to spend a relaxed weekend at the beach, I would also recommend you consider Punta Leona. I have little kids, 10 and 5 and they love it there because it is a very short drive, around an hour and Playa Blanca is truly a very child friendly environment. Summer time in February you will find lots of other families in the resort and your kids will have a very good time at the beach. If not Punta Leona, I would also vote for Manuel Antonio.

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